Fundamentals

This book, written by one of the great physicists of our time, deals with the ten fundamental principles that hold our world together at its core. It was crafted with the aim of presenting the central messages of modern physics as simply as possible, without sacrificing accuracy. It is about much more than just facts, no matter how fascinating they may be. It also concerns the way of thinking that enables us to discover these facts in the first place.

A glance at the clear night sky is enough to perceive the lavish wealth that characterizes nature. There is plenty of space, time, matter, and energy. This abundance is contrasted by a great frugality regarding the building blocks and laws that govern the immense universe, as well as our much smaller bodies. Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek presents these principles and how they work in an accessible manner, what we know about them, and why we know it. At the same time, he takes us on a journey into the future, opening our eyes to what we may soon understand. Our understanding of nature is still growing and changing. We humans are just a part of nature, but we are the part that allows it to gain self-awareness.